MAC’60s Chapter 70.2

Zhao Jun’s second brother retorted, “Is that your grain? Didn’t you buy it with my brother’s money? You’re living a good life, eating well, while you’re even scraping together the children’s rations. Over here, we’re living on watery porridge three times a day. When we asked to borrow some grain, you acted as though you’d rather starve our whole family than give us any!”

Zhao Jun’s second brother was clearly angry not just at Wang Lingling, but at the whole situation. He turned to Zhao Jun, tears streaming down his face, and asked, “Is this the woman you’re going to marry? You married her to break away from your poor brothers, to stop us from eating and drinking with you? Third brother, I have to ask you—when you were going to join the army, the whole family was so afraid you wouldn’t pass the physical, we tightened our belts to feed you for three months.

“Mom and Dad were so hungry they were bloated. I had to go up the mountain to eat soil just to survive. We were all so hungry we had acid reflux. You were the only one eating three months’ worth of eggs, and later you passed the physical and joined the army.”

“Even without bringing this up, let me ask you. Now, there’s a food shortage in the village. We adults can go hungry, but what about the kids in our families? Can you bear to see them starve? When our mom came to ask for grain, what did your wife say? She said that if the kids starve, they’re just weak and don’t deserve to live.”

Zhao Jun’s second brother’s eyes were bloodshot: “Is this the good wife you married? Third brother, remember when we talked about splitting up the family? You were all for it, weren’t you? You felt we were a burden to you. Your wife made a scene, and you just sat back and watched. When mom came over, she didn’t even bring up your wife’s behavior. Can’t you tell why?”

“Because mom was afraid of you! She was afraid that the most capable son would have resentment in his heart. Even mom could see that—do you think we can’t see it?”

Zhao Jun’s second brother wiped his nose: “We won’t talk about anything else. Even if we starve to death from here on out, we won’t involve your family.”

By this time, it was evening, but many people had arrived after hearing the news. A large crowd gathered around, listening to Zhao Jun’s second brother express his hardship and grievances.

“Zhao Laotai wasn’t a good person, she was disliked by everyone, but she did try her best for the boys.”

“What’s the use of trying? She was pushed to death by the third son’s wife, the one who was most favored.”

“I think the Zhao family is going to split now. With the old lady gone, there won’t be any unity left.”

“Splitting up is one thing, but wait and see. Zhao Jun’s life is going to be hard. He won’t have anyone to help him.”

“Do you think his wife is going to prison?”

“Who knows, we’ll have to see what the village chief and Zhao Jun do.”

…

Zhao Jun listened to the murmurs around him, hearing his brothers’ complaints, feeling as though he was sinking into a black abyss.

“Second brother, I’m sorry for mom… I’m sorry to all of you.”

He didn’t know how it had come to this. All he did was marry the wrong woman, and now his mother was dead, his brothers had turned against him.

It was only a wife, after all.

In his previous life, he had married Wang Ying, and there had been no family trouble. Wang Ying took care of the two children, they grew up well, and the relationships between the brothers and sisters-in-law were harmonious. Even his mother, who had always been a bit harsh on her daughters-in-law, was at peace before she passed away, telling him that Wang Ying had treated the children well. As long as Wang Ying didn’t have her own child, he could rest easy knowing that Zhao Dong and Zhao Xi were well cared for.

Zhao Jun couldn’t understand. Before returning, he knew he had married the wrong person. He also suspected that Wang Lingling had been reborn.

However, he didn’t think it was a serious problem.

He could reunite with his separated family, and as for marrying the wrong person—Wang Lingling—he believed that as long as he made things clear with her, it should go smoothly. His requirements were simple: he only needed Wang Lingling to behave like Wang Ying had in his previous life.

He didn’t expect any major changes or improvements from Wang Lingling. Taking care of the children and honoring the elderly—how hard could that be?

She had gone through so much to marry him, didn’t she want a better life? If she just behaved herself, when they eventually divorced, he wouldn’t mistreat her.

Zhao Jun thought everything could be corrected, everything could be saved.

But he never expected that Wang Lingling would blow up his life.

Zhao Jun looked at Wang Lingling, his eyes filled with an indescribable disgust.

Wang Lingling’s heart was racing. She struggled to throw herself onto Zhao Jun. “Zhao Jun! I’m sorry! I’ve apologized, okay? Don’t sue me! Don’t sue me! I didn’t mean to kill your mom! She died on her own! She was old, she was going to die eventually, right? It was her time, not my fault!”

Unknowingly, her words only made Zhao Jun angrier.

Other people might not know, but didn’t he know?

His mother should have lived for several more years!

Unable to bear it any longer, Zhao Jun shouted angrily, “Shut up! Wang Lingling, you killed my mom, and now you’re saying this to me!”

He couldn’t allow Wang Lingling to continue destroying his life.

Zhao Jun turned to the village chief and said, “Fourth Uncle, please send someone to find the police. I want to sue her for killing my mom!”

Upon hearing this, there was an uproar around them.

“Zhao Jun wants to sue his wife?!”

“Goodness, this is getting big!”

“Isn’t his wife going to face serious consequences?”

“Who knows, maybe it wasn’t intentional.”

…

The village chief, called Fourth Uncle, wiped his face. “Little Third, you better think this through. If you sue your wife, it’s going to affect you too.”

Zhao Jun replied, “I know.”

After all, he was about to retire from the army, so if there were consequences, so be it.

Once this was said, Zhao Jun’s brothers finally felt a bit better. Although there was still some estrangement between the brothers, at least if they could lock Wang Lingling up, it would serve as a bit of comfort for their deceased mother.

Wang Lingling had completely lost her mind. She couldn’t believe that this would happen to her!

She crazily rushed forward, and the women trying to stop her almost couldn’t hold her back.

“Zhao Jun! You can’t do this! You can’t do this! Look at how much I’ve done for you! I gave up my family, I gave up the man I was supposed to marry, I never asked for anything, and I came to be a stepmother for your kids. You can’t treat me like this!”

By the end, Wang Lingling was almost screaming.

She had been reborn. She was here for a good life, to lie back and win! Not to sit in jail and eat bullets!

Tears and snot streamed down Wang Lingling’s face. “I’ve given up so much for you!”

Even though she had committed a crime, the people around her couldn’t help but feel sympathy.

Wang Lingling had indeed lowered herself to marry Zhao Jun.

She was a good woman with no dowry, becoming a stepmother to two children, living with a nasty mother-in-law, and having to deal with the other wives and brothers.

Which of these conditions wouldn’t make other women hesitate? Together, they were enough to scare anyone off.

But Wang Lingling still entered the door. Although her reputation was bad after almost a year, she still treated the two children well. Even if it was all for scheming, it was still a difficult feat.

Under everyone’s gaze, Zhao Jun stared at Wang Lingling firmly. “No, you didn’t do it for me.”

Wang Lingling almost didn’t hesitate. “How is it not for you? If I didn’t want to be with you, would I secretly run away from home to the county to find you? I wouldn’t have come with no dowry! Zhao Jun, I’ve done so much for you…”

She kept speaking, but Zhao Jun no longer wanted to hear it.

“Wang Lingling, stop using that kind of talk to make yourself look good. You’re just someone who wants to sit back and enjoy the fruits of others’ labor. Are you doing it for me? You’re doing it for your own good life, for your future, for your own greed!”

Zhao Jun’s eyes darkened. “Xu Shuang, do you remember? Didn’t you break his hand?”

If Zhao Jun’s earlier questioning had still left Wang Lingling in doubt, his words now plunged her into the depths of hell.

It was as though Wang Lingling had been doused with cold water. She stood frozen in place, feeling as if she had fallen into an ice cave, unable to move. The women who were holding her, seeing her strange demeanor, were so frightened that they unconsciously let go of her.

Wang Lingling collapsed on the ground. She raised her eyes, her mouth moving mechanically. “What’s wrong with wanting a good life?”

She had suffered so much in her past life. Wasn’t this her chance to enjoy happiness? Wasn’t she here to win without doing anything? If she could lie back and find happiness, why bother working hard? Wang Ying had won an affectionate husband and obedient children in her previous life by doing nothing. Why couldn’t she?

Zhao Jun didn’t respond to her. In fact, he just wanted to get rid of this crazy woman.

Wang Lingling seemed completely mad. She frantically asked Zhao Jun, “If you divorce me, are you still going to find Wang Ying?”

Zhao Jun tightened his lips, but Wang Lingling laughed loudly. “You’re too late! She’s already married! Do you know who she married?”

Wang Lingling’s eyes were full of mockery. “She married Xu Shuang! Hahaha, how ridiculous! We’ve switched lives!”

Zhao Jun’s heart skipped a beat. He had indeed wanted to find Wang Ying, especially just now when his emotions had reached their peak. Wang Lingling’s existence made him feel that everything would be better if it returned to its original track.

Wang Ying, no matter what, would definitely take care of his rear.

Wang Lingling saw Zhao Jun’s confused expression and felt a sense of satisfaction in her heart.

“Let me tell you one more thing.”

Wang Lingling’s face showed a look of vengeful pleasure. “Wang Ying is just like us, she’s around the same time as me.”

The people around them couldn’t understand what Wang Lingling meant, but Zhao Jun understood.

He looked at Wang Lingling, whose calmness was mixed with madness.

“Zhao Jun, you think I’m not good enough for you, right? Well, remember this: the first thing Wang Ying did when she came back was to kick you out. You think she’d marry you without me? Think again!”

“The first thing she did when she came back was kick you out! That shows how much she hates you!”